Tutorials

Laser cutting with Vectorworks

Laser cutting with Vectorworks - Snijlab

In this tutorial you will learn how to turn a 2D Vectorworks drawing into a laser drawing. As an example, we will use a simple facade for an architectural model (scale model).

Vectorworks is a computer program for drawing in 2D and 3D. It is available for Windows and OSX. Vectorworks uses a .vwx file format but can also import and export .pdf and .dwg drawings.

Vectorworks is:

  • easy to learn
  • suitable for drawing in 2D and 3D

Download our Vectorworks template here. In it are the Classes, Layers and Sheets set up to get started right away. Now you can draw!

  • Draw your 2D drawing in 1:1 scale, or convert your existing 2D drawing to 1:1 scale by scaling it.
  • To give the lines a color it is important in which 'Classes' the objects are in (see the drawing rules).

The distinction between lines to be cut and engraved is made on the basis of colors:
Blue (RGB 0,0,255) lines are cut
Red (RGB 255,0,0) lines are engraved as line
Magenta (RGB 255,0,255) closed lines are engraved as flat
Gray (RGB 128,128,128) lines are ignored (useful as auxiliary lines, or help text)

  • Draw according to drawing rules in the appropriate 'Classes':
    Put cutting lines in the Class 'cut'
    Put engraving lines in the Class 'line engraving'
    Put engraving surfaces in the Class 'plane engraving'
    Put all lines that should not be cut or engraved in the Class 'ignore'

  • Text must be converted to lines before it can be cut or engraved.

  • If you need several parts of the same material, you can combine them into one drawing (nesting). When doing this, pay attention to the maximum size of the material you are going to use. You can draw parts all the way to the edge of the sheet size.

  • When nesting, leave a small space between parts: at least 2 mm (4 mm for foam).

  • Draw a frame of cut lines along the edge of your drawing for a neat edge. If you don't draw a frame, we will position the drawing at our discretion on a sheet. In doing so, the edges of the sheet may be cut instead of lasered.

To quickly give all the lines of a Class the correct color , you can change the graphical representation of the Class. In the Vectorworks template, the various Classes already have the correct color settings, so you don't need to change anything.

  • To adjust the appearance of a Class, right-click on the Class and then Edit... Here you can adjust the 'Fill Style', 'Pen Style', 'Pen Color', 'Opacity' and 'Line Thickness' of the objects in the Class. When you are done press OK

  • Select all the lines in the drawing. Make sure the 'Fill Style', 'Pen Style', 'Pen Color', 'Opacity' and 'Line Thickness' of all lines are set to by 'Class Style'.

  • Check that the color of the lines is now correct.

  • Put a 'Viewport' with the appropriate scale on a 'Sheet Layer'.

  • Click File > Export > Export PDF...
    Under 'Format:' choose PDF

  • Click Export

  • Choose a folder, name the file and click Save

On our website, drag and drop the .pdf file into the upload field.

Check carefully if:

  • the format is correct
  • the colors of the preview match the intended edits

Blue = full cut
Red = line / vector engraving
Magenta = plane engraving
Gray = no operation / layer to be ignored

Note that unrecognized colors and layer names are automatically read in as 'cuts'. These lines are shown in blue in the preview.

 

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